Hewitt and Groth’s fairytale run continues

LLEYTON Hewitt and Sam Groth's fairytale run in doubles at the Australian Open has continued after being given a free pass into the quarterfinals.

Hewitt and Groth spent just 22 minutes on court for their third round clash against Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Pablo Andujar before the Spanish pair retired.

Ramos-Vinolas required a medical time-out early in the opening set and emerged with heavy strapping on his wrist before pulling the pin in the seventh game, with scores locked a 3-3.

"We've played a lot of big matches before and we played a big match here on this court a few years ago, so we were really looking forward to coming out here today and playing," Hewitt said.

"It's a shame to finish this way but we just have to take it one match and a time and we're through to the quarters."

Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth are into the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles.

Hewitt and Groth will play No.11 seeds Juan-Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah in the quarterfinals.

The doubles run has extended Groth's time playing at the Australian Open after announcing his retirement late last year.

"I know a lot of people waited out here (at Hisense Arena) and we appreciate everyone that took the time to hang around, sorry you guys didn't get to watch a full match," Groth said in an on-court interview.

Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth spent just 22 minutes on court for their third round match.

The Australian pair advanced to the third round on Sunday after defeating No.3 seeds Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau in three sets 7-6(2) 4-6 7-5.

Groth admitted to being emotional after last night's upset win.

"We had a massive battle last night, so we had to turn it around really quickly. So on one hand it's sort of nice to get a quick one here today," he said.

"At the moment I'm doing all right. I got a bit emotional last night, playing in front of your home crowd is something I'm really going to miss.

"But it's all right because I'm still here at the moment."

When asked whether he and Groth would hit the practice courts given the third round match last just 22 minutes, Hewitt joked: "Probably not, we're getting old. We hit enough balls last night."